Trapdoor or Highwall-help me pick

Mr AR15

Mr AR15

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I have wanted a Springfield 45-70 Trapdoor ever since I was a little kid and saw a movie about Custer's Last Stand at the Little Bighorn. I can still see the soldiers loading their cavalry carbines with these big 45-70 rounds. Well now that I am ready to buy one, what do I see but an 1874 Sharps Cavalry Carbine Highwall. I know its not exactly the same as a trapdoor but its pretty close and I do like the highwall action as well. So now I'm stumped as they are both lovely rifles, they look almost the same and...

I don't know what to do.:confused:

Are there any attributes of either rifle that would make one more preferable than the other. Something that can help me decide? I have never even held one let alone shot one so I have very little information to base a decision on other than aesthetics. I just plan to use it for plinking and maybe some cowboy action stuff if theres an opportunity to use it for that. I will reload and prefer smokeless powder as cleaning my .50 BP rifle is enough for me.
 
Tough call in some ways; you can buy an original trapdoor for a lot less than a original Sharps and about the same or less than a reproduction Sharp's carbine. On the other hand the Sharps is a stronger action, easier to clean and generally more suited to black powder shooting than the trapdoor. My suggestion would be for a rifle length Sharps and unless you are uncommonly wealthy to buy one of the imports rather than a Shilo Sharps. Also would suggest buying one with double set triggers

cheers mooncoon
 
Are there any attributes of either rifle that would make one more preferable than the other. Something that can help me decide? I have never even held one let alone shot one so I have very little information to base a decision on other than aesthetics. I just plan to use it for plinking and maybe some cowboy action stuff if theres an opportunity to use it for that. I will reload and prefer smokeless powder as cleaning my .50 BP rifle is enough for me.
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No contest. The 1874 Sharps is the better choice due to its superior strength, accuracy potential and ease of cleaning.

On the question of action strength alone the falling block actions are at the opposite end of the spectrum from the trapdoor Springfield (and it's a big spectrum).
 
Man, a choice like that makes me think of the "motivational" poster that says "sometimes it's better if your mate does both of them".

Talk about picking between homely and not so good lookin' :D

Buy the Trapdoor if you want something original, that you can afford, buy a Sharps replica, if you don't mind a replica, and you want it to shoot right off the bat and accurately. If you run with the crowds that are buying original Sharps rifles these days, and shooting them, quit pi$$ing around and buy both. Post pictures, too.

The Sharps action will hold up to a bit more pressure than the Trapdoors, which traditionally are the lowest pressure loads in the guide book. Worth keeping an eye on!

Neither is a Highwall, aka Winchester Single Shot aka Model 1885, which is, in my opinion, about the pinnacle of good looking design in a single shot rifle, and a damn fine choice for calibers from small, up to very large. But definitely not of the same era.
You weren't talking about the replicas of the Winchester 1885, made by the C Sharps Co. were you?

Cheers
Trev
 
No such thing as a '74 Sharps Highwall, it's either a '74 sharps or a Highwall(Win. 85), as someone else mentioned, C. Sharps in Montana make a beautiful copy of the Highwall and use Badger barrels. Unless you're really hung up on the 1870 era and the Trapdoor, and it's martial history, I'd take the C. Sharps Highwall, the action is much stronger then the Trapdoor, and in modern trim; more accurate. I find them much easier to clean then the Trapdoor which is important with a BPCR.
 
The advantage of the Sharps over the Winchester highwall is that on the Sharps, the lock work is completely isolated from source of fouling. It is also much easier to remove the breach block from a Sharps.

cheers mooncoon
 
Set your plans to buy both it may take longer but one at a time just don't buy one of the cheap H&R trap door replicas they just don't stand up for years they tend to turn into auto eject models . The winchester 85 or the sharps is a better choice but if you have always wanted a trapdoor then you won't be happy till you get one its all about want not need.
 
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